"Director of Student Support Services"

Job Description

The Director of Student Support Services oversees the development, implementation, and assessment of all Student Support Services' project functions. The Director leads all aspects of the U.S. Department of Education funded SSS grant while working within relevant university and system policies.

Director of Student Support Services (Administrative Professional 3 – MR13) University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Responsibilities

Project Management

• Provides oversight of all project functions guided by funded proposal goals and objectives, federal regulations/guidelines, and university policies
• Responsible for the design and implementation of the following project functions: academic advising, tutoring, career counseling, individual needs assessments, graduate/professional school counseling, financial education and literacy programs, academic monitoring and tracking, personal skills development workshops, and academic/social/cultural events
• Recruits program participants and completes necessary steps for student enrollment (application reviews, interviews, selection) to accepted students

Student Support

• Provides direct services to program participants each year which include academic advising, career counseling, financial counseling, graduate/professional school counseling, advocacy and providing opportunities and information

Reporting and Records Maintenance

• Designs and maintains database record-keeping systems that provide documentation for the project including participant eligibility, student contacts, services and activities, performance and compliance data
• Monitors and approves expenditures
• Completes and submits all federal reports and campus inventories
• Designs and oversees program evaluation procedures

Coordination

• Serves as a liaison with the U.S. DOE Program Officer, publicizes and disseminates relevant campus project information
• Promotes collaboration and partnerships with related campus efforts and other retention activities
• Provides advocacy for students
• Participation in campus committees when appropriate
• Represents program at the state, regional, and national level at conferences
• Leads in writing and submitting competitive federal grants and campus proposals

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Knowledge of proven practices for improving outcomes of underrepresented college students
• Knowledge and proficiency in the operation and use of computers utilizing various software applications (i.e., word processing, spreadsheet, and database management software)
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret, apply, and explain applicable federal, state, and District laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to assigned functions and Federal Grant management and reporting
• In-depth knowledge of the programmatic operations, services, and activities of TRiO SSS Programs
• Strong communications skills (written and verbal) and the ability to present complex academic information to diverse audiences
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide diversity of individuals including students, faculty, and staff

Review of applications will begin September 30, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration.

Qualifications

Minimum

Requires a bachelor's degree in education, counseling, social work, college student personnel, or related field; (7) years of professional experience working in higher education with low-income and first generation college students; providing related services including academic advising, career counseling, financial literacy guidance, and/or tutoring coordination; planning and leading college student programs and activities such as academic success workshops; completing program assessment including data collection and report generation that demonstrate student performance outcomes; and supervisory experience including the recruitment, hiring, training, and evaluation of employees; or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Preferred

A master’s degree in education, counseling, social work, college student personnel, or related field; experience in the development, implementation, and management of a TRIO Student Support Services program ; administrative experience in grant management, grant/report writing, and budgeting; experience with financial aid and awarding grant aid to student participants; experience with student information systems and databases including Ellucian Banner, DegreeWorks, Navigate, and Blumen Data Software for reporting; and engagement with related national and/or regional professional communities such as COE, SAEOPP, TASP, etc. is preferred.